Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 105
I was a little worried.
Because of the large-scale explosion in the Underside, I was concerned that the underground passage leading from my house to the east-west highways might have become unusable.
However, at least from what I could confirm up to the east-west junction from the house basement, there didn’t appear to be any collapses. And considering that Isaka and the others managed to escape, it’s likely that a new large tunnel leading to the North Gate and the Golda area was created.
“Well then… I guess I’ll head out through the East Gate again.”
I returned to the house from the fireplace and set off.
It’s possible there are still groups trying to track me. People like Kokuri-san were always concerned about the location of the Brigade, after all.
Anyway, once again exiting through the East Gate, instead of heading to the usual upstream river cave or the rock-disguised underground passage, I decided to go toward the campsite I had visited as “Silent.”
…I moved at full speed, so if anyone had been pursuing me, I think I managed to shake them off with ease.
“…Phew.”
Near the spot where Melt had once made a makeshift open-air bath, I quietly changed back into Same’s form.
…It just feels right. Even though I grow slightly taller in this form.
“Ohh… The makeshift bath has turned into a kind of reservoir.”
Though only a few weeks had passed, the open-air bath had already returned to nature.
…Returned to nature, huh? I wonder if this world is truly natural?
Suddenly, thoughts of the scenes in the dungeon, the information viewable through my [Insight Eye], and the role of the dungeon core stirred such questions.
“…I feel like the Dungeon Master knows something.”
I recalled the Day of Beginnings. Right after we were summoned to this world, we encountered someone within the deep parts of the “Dream Hill Great Forest”—inside the “Mansion of Greed.”
That demon, the Dungeon Master of that place, had said to us:
“I have decided to grant information to beings like you whose existence has yet to be confirmed in this world.”
He definitely declared that.
From his wording, it was almost as if he were saying, “The dungeon is not part of this world.”
Furthermore, he said he would “grant information.” That means that, for a Dungeon Master, granting abilities or releasing entities that have yet to be born in this world is a trivial matter.
There are rumors that the summoning ritual involves offering sacrifices to the dungeon.
If that’s the case, then perhaps the Dungeon Master can only influence this world via the dungeon?
“I don’t know… I don’t even know what their goals are to begin with.”
That’s as far as I’ll go with this line of thinking. Anything more would be speculation.
Still, I should at least remember this: “This world is being managed by someone or something,” and “The Dungeon Master can interfere in limited ways.”
I returned to the campsite and looked around.
As expected, there were satellite outposts of the Adventurer’s Guild and Mercenary Guild, each with notice boards displaying quests.
But among them, one notice caught my eye:
“There is a possibility of a large-scale request being issued soon by the upper levels of the Unified Guild.”
“If possible, please refrain from taking distant quests and focus on those around the Lindblum area.”
Hmm…? That’s interesting, but there’s not much I can investigate right now—
“Ahhhhhhhh!!!!”
At that moment, a tremendously loud voice echoed from the entrance of the campsite.
As I turned to see what was going on—
“Gwah!”
“It’s Same!!! Same is here!!!!”
I was hit with a full-force combination of charge + hug. I was mounted like a horse. The sky is blue.
Oh… Melt-san… what timing you have…
“Melt… Coming back from a quest?”
“Yes! I left town the day before yesterday and came here while camping along the way! Letty and I made the food!”
“Whoa… impressive, Melt. Now can you please get off?”
Off my waist, please! You’re not heavy, but it’s hard to breathe!
“Nn. Okay, I’m off.”
“Thanks.”
Looking toward the entrance, I saw Letty with a slightly exasperated look, and the guild merchant president smiling happily.
…Sorry, President! Even though I know your real name now, you’ll always be “President” to me!
“Same-san, long time no see!”
“It’s been a while, President.”
He was probably returning from a business deal, approaching us with his wagon.
Still, I was surprised—President himself driving the wagon all the way out of town?
“I heard you’ve started dealing in precious metals?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s a profitable sector, but difficult to enter—especially for newcomers like us from another country. Connections, trust, achievements, and capital… normally, a newcomer like us wouldn’t be able to enter.”
“But thanks to this transaction and the resulting sales, you were able to break into the field?”
“Exactly. And it’s all thanks to you, Same-san.”
It’s true that I played a part in it, but the one who truly seized the business opportunity was the President with his own skills.
“So, does that mean the cargo’s full of precious metals? That’s a bit scary.”
“Yes, it is. But this time, we have two reliable escorts with us.”
“Indeed. A Ruby-ranked adventurer and rising star of the Glory Knights, plus a rising Emerald-ranked adventurer. No bandits could get through that.”
“Exactly. In fact, while we were traveling to Isbel, we passed through a mountain path and encountered a group of bandits…”
…A whole group? That’s serious. They must be a sizable and organized bunch if they’re still active despite prior losses.
“I’m glad you’re safe, President.”
“Thank you. I was surprised… I never imagined Melt-san was that strong.”
So Melt had quite the showing, huh.
“You’re heading back to the city now?”
“Yes, we stopped by to let the horses rest and grab some lunch.”
I noticed Letty had walked over to Melt. She seemed to be scolding her…
Please, if you can, teach her that tackling and mounting people isn’t proper behavior…
During the lunch break, Letty unusually started a conversation with me.
“Same-san, you’ve been away from Lindblum, right?”
“Yeah, not too far, but I’ve been away for a while. I did go back briefly to report, though.”
“I see… Um, I know it might be weird asking someone who’s been away, but… has something happened in Lindblum?”
“Hmm… Yeah, it’s something you’ll learn about eventually given your position, so I won’t hide it. There was a major incident. I wasn’t directly involved, but I’ve received reports from someone who was.”
“Wh—what happened…?!”
“You should ask Shuris-san about that directly.”
At this timing, for Letty to be sent out on an external mission must mean that Shuris-san had some kind of intention behind it.
…Letty was from a noble family, I think. Perhaps she has some kind of connection with Marquis Allheus…
“…Understood.”
“Sorry about this. While I’m involved, Letty will still be treated as an outsider. But I’m sure Shuris-san will tell you everything.”
Ah, now that I think about it… Didn’t Shuris-san also ask me to drop by at some point…?
“Melt, what will you do when we get back to the city? Going to go ask about your rank-up right away?”
“Yep, that’s the plan~ I’ll take it easy for a while after that.”
“Got it. As for me… well, Shuris-san wants to see me, but Kokuri-san also summoned me.”
Kokuri-san—meaning, the royal palace has summoned me too.
In terms of priority, that would probably come first… Or would it? Hmm. From the way Kokuri-san spoke, it didn’t sound like something that had to happen today or tomorrow—she said to return within three days, so there’s probably a meeting scheduled around that time.
“Same, you’re acquainted with Lady Kokuri Maya?”
“Yeah, I know her. She actually summoned me. Since Shuris-san also called for me… maybe the quickest way is to visit the palace together?”
“If that’s the case, I’ll let the guild master know when I return to the clan. That Same has come back to town. That should save some trouble, right?”
“Will it? That helps a lot, Letty-san.”
“Think of it as thanks for sharing some information with me.”
She seems a bit more relaxed around me now.
After that, once we finished resting, I joined the escort team this time, and we made it safely back to Lindblum.
“Welcome home, Melt.”
After reporting everything and returning home, I went in first and greeted Melt as she came in.
“I’m back~ I’m exhausted… Escort missions are really tiring.”
“I heard you took down a lot of enemies—were they strong?”
“Nope, not at all. But I had to stay alert so that no damage occurred. If the horses had gotten hurt by an arrow or something, that alone would’ve been a huge loss.”
“I see. Letty-san’s presence must have been a big help.”
“Yeah. Thanks to Letty-chan protecting the area around the carriage, it was easier to fight. And… I think I might have killed about three people—.”
…I see.
“Well, they were the bad guys, so you can’t afford to show mercy.”
“I know that… but still, if I’d fought better, maybe we could’ve just captured them. What about you, Same? Or rather, Shizuma?”
“Me? Hmm… I probably killed over ten corrupt knights. I caused a lot of severe injuries too. And… I captured three of my former classmates.”
I reported the outcome I had caused without hiding anything.
“I see. Good job. So, is everything over now?”
“Hmm… not quite yet. But one chapter is closed.”
“Okay. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt.”
“You too, Melt.”
…The season is about to turn to December.
The temperature has dropped, and soon, snow will begin to fall.
In other words… it will become a disadvantageous time for the Holy Republic of Lendia.
And then… there’s the matter of Isaka and Inami, who escaped this time. Most likely… if they’re going to make a move, it’ll be now.
“Melt.”
“What is it?”
“If a war were to break out with Golda, would you want to be involved?”
I asked her frankly.
To Melt, the royal family of Golda are her sworn enemies.
It’s fair to say they wiped out her people—her whole clan.
“Why are you asking something like that?”
“Because there might be a war.”
“…A lot of people would die, wouldn’t they? I don’t like that. But if the king was standing in front of me… I’d want to ask him everything. Why he did it, what his goal was.”
“I see.”
“And then… I don’t think I’d forgive him.”
Surely, she chose her words carefully.
She must have restrained herself from using strong or negative expressions.
But what she truly meant was likely…
“…Yeah, it’s better if war doesn’t happen in the first place.”
“Mm, of course. But… it’s complicated, isn’t it? The fact that you’re asking means…”
“Probably, yeah. Remember earlier, when I got a ride on the Pigeon Company’s wagon?”
“Ah, that’s right. Only you got to relax! Letty-chan and I had to walk!”
“Haha, sorry, sorry.”
That’s when I saw the cargo and asked the company president:
“You brought in not just jewels, but a lot of weapons too, didn’t you?”
To which he replied:
“Actually, it seems that right now, transporting weapons along with jewels is being encouraged in Isbel. If you transport weapons together, part of the inter-city customs duties on the gems gets discounted.”
In other words, Lindblum is stockpiling weapons.
And then, there was that notice I saw earlier at the encampment that caught my attention…
“There’s a high chance war will break out. If possible… I’d rather not get involved.”
“…Yeah. I prefer things like gathering materials, escort missions, traveling, treasure hunts, and monster subjugations. I mean, I know I might end up fighting people too… but I don’t want to be involved in a war. But… if you belong to a country, maybe you’re not allowed to say that?”
“Hmm? No, it’s okay to say that. Because you’re not a knight or a soldier. As an adventurer, you’re basically free and neutral. Even if you’re asked, you can say no.”
“Really?! Then I won’t get involved in any war! I’ll cheer from inside the city!”
That’s fine.
Yeah… it’d be best if war ended quickly.
Right—a trump card should be used at a time like this.